Adults 18+ Should Get a Hepatitis C Test, Each Pregnancy Too
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis C screening for all adults 18 and older at least once in their lifetime, and for pregnant women during each pregnancy; CDC says testing is the only way to find out if you have hepatitis C, and some people may need periodic testing. CDC also says many people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know; if you find out you have hepatitis C, your doctor can give you lifesaving treatment.
CDC says that left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death; there are treatments that can cure most people with hepatitis C within 8 to 12 weeks. This article follows CDC's hepatitis C testing page: who should be tested, how testing works, what results mean, and what to do after. Everyone's health is different; if you have questions, ask your health care provider.
Who should be tested
CDC explains (CDC, Testing for Hepatitis C):
- Screening: All adults 18 and older at least once in their lifetime, and pregnant women during each pregnancy.
- At least once: People who currently inject drugs or did so even once or long ago; people with HIV; people with abnormal liver tests, liver disease, or on hemodialysis; people who received blood or organ donations before July 1992; people who received clotting factor concentrate before 1987; health care, emergency medical and public safety personnel after needle sticks, sharps or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood; and infants and children born to people with known HCV infection.
- Periodically: People with ongoing risk factors, including people who currently inject drugs and share needles, syringes or other drug equipment; and people with certain medical conditions, including those who have ever received maintenance hemodialysis.
- People who ask: CDC's list also includes any person who requests hepatitis C testing.
How testing works
- Ask your doctor: Talk to your doctor to get tested; your doctor or nurse can decide which test you need.
- Step 1: antibody test: Three ways: a lab-based blood test (results take longer); a rapid test, where the doctor or nurse can analyze your blood in about 30 minutes; or a home-based test, where you take your own blood sample and send it to a lab.
- Step 2: virus test: If your antibody test is positive, the doctor or lab will automatically test the same blood sample with a nucleic acid test (NAT) to see if the virus is still there.
- Possible exposure in the last 6 months: CDC recommends that your doctor order a NAT rather than an antibody test first.
What results mean
- Negative antibody test: You are not currently infected and don't need the follow-up NAT; but if you think you may have been exposed in the last 6 months, you will need another antibody test.
- Positive antibody test: You have been infected with hepatitis C at some point; once infected, you will always have antibodies, whether the virus cleared, was cured, or is still there.
- Negative NAT: You were infected in the past, but the virus is no longer in your body.
- Positive NAT: This confirms you are currently infected.
- After your results: If both the antibody test and NAT are positive, talk to your doctor about staying healthy; there are treatments that can cure most people with hepatitis C within 8 to 12 weeks.
- Finding a test: CDC's testing locator lets you find fast, free and confidential testing near you by ZIP code.
Adults 18 and older are also advised to get a hepatitis B test at least once; see Adults 18+ Should Get Tested for Hepatitis B at Least Once; if you don't have a regular doctor yet, see Pick a Primary Doctor First, HMOs Usually Need Referrals.
What this article did not check
- Treatment drugs and cost: The page only says treatments can cure it; this article did not check the drugs or costs.
- Insurance coverage for testing: The page doesn't say, so this article doesn't cover it.
- How hepatitis C spreads: CDC has a separate page; this article did not check it.
FAQ
I have no symptoms. Should I still get tested?
CDC recommends that all adults 18 and older get tested at least once; many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know.
Does a positive antibody test mean I have hepatitis C?
Not necessarily. CDC says a positive antibody test means you were infected at some point; the follow-up NAT tells you whether you are currently infected.
Should I get tested during pregnancy?
CDC recommends hepatitis C testing during each pregnancy.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
CDC says there are treatments that can cure most people with hepatitis C within 8 to 12 weeks; if you test positive, talk to your doctor.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-02.
- CDC, Testing for Hepatitis C (page updated 2025-01-31, reviewed 2026-11-02):https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-c/testing/index.html